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In reversal, James Talarico says he opposes trans athletes in girls’ sports “if it risks safety or fairness” (www.texastribune.org)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/texas@lemmy.world
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DALLAS — Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico on Wednesday said he opposed transgender student-athletes competing in girls’ sports “if it endangers safety or fairness,” reversing course on previous positions he took while in the Texas House opposing restrictions on trans athletes.

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[–] 3 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Trans female, I guess. I don't think anyone cares about trans males playing in the male league. But it's stupid - if we need different divisions, we should categorize by weight, like they do in boxing.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (4 children)

    ok so how many trans women do you think exist who live locally and wish to play this specific sport?

    seems like it would be a pretty lonely team unless you start some sort of bussing arrangement.

    has this idea fallen apart for you yet?

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  • [–] -3 points 2 months ago* (2 children)

    Your argument doesn't make sense because it assumes playing any sport is a right. If I want to play a particular sport, it's on me to jump through all the hurdles to make that happen such as passing try outs, paying for the private sports clubs, or finding a league for my specific demographic and skill level, or bringing my community together to make a new league. If I have a physical disability I'd have to make sure that's accommodated on top of that (usually not). I think most people don't ever get the chance to participate in most sports anyway.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 months ago*

    my argument is that there are not enuf teenage trans women in a random small town in ohio to make up a whole high school soccer team.

    i’m not sure what this has to do with any of that 👆

    im also not on board with you connecting being trans to having a disability.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

    The discourse on this issue is way overfocused on elite athletes, imo. Elite athletes have different reasons for pursuing their sport and are up against the upper limits of what their bodies are capable of. The real value of sports for the vast majority of people is in the exercise and community, and their performance is largely dependent on skill, not their genetics. Most people don't pursue a sport, but we would all probably benefit a lot from one.

    Unfortunately, the discussion re: elite athletes is causing restrictions on trans athletes to be introduced at amateur levels and even among child athletes, where the competitive concerns are completely irrelevant. Given how important sports and games can be for motor learning, creating situations where kids are excluded or otherwise made to feel uncomfortable in athletic spaces is doing them a lot of harm.

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